Many of you know that Jay and I were long distance dating for over two years before we got married. Jay was out here in Milwaukee and I was just outside of Manchester, NH. We tried to see each other about once every month to six weeks. We spent a LOT of time on planes and in airports, but we earned a lot of frequent flyer miles too.
I was teaching at the time and I came out to Wisconsin for my summers and worked in Milwaukee conducting SAT and ACT review classes for Kaplan. Since I needed a car to be able to get to and from work, I wouldn’t fly out for the summer, I would drive. Jay would get a one way ticket out to NH and then drive back to WI with me. On the way back, we did the reverse.
For our first summer road trip, we divided the miles in half and booked a hotel room ahead of time. We got there on the early side and were kicking ourselves for not having just played it by ear as we were still pretty energetic and could have driven for a while longer. Oh well, live and learn we thought. We’ll just wing it on the way back.
When we were planning our trip back at the end of the summer, we figured we’d just drive until we got tired and then find a hotel to crash at. We left Milwaukee mid-morning and drove and drove. After dinner, we started to think maybe we should keep an eye out for a hotel. We stopped at a Day’s Inn and decided to call it a night.
Imagine our surprise when the desk clerk told us it was sold out. Chalking it up to bad luck, we drove a few more miles and found a Holiday Inn. That too was full. We stopped at three more hotels before we realized that it was the weekend all the college kids go back to school and every single hotel along 90 was full. (We knew this because we frantically started calling all of them!)
We did find one small motel that said they had one room left, but one look at the lobby alone told us we’d be better off sleeping in the car! We passed and got back on the highway. Jay wanted to pull over in a rest stop and grab some sleep, but I was convinced that was not a safe idea (plus I knew I wouldn’t be able to get comfy in a small compact car). At some point we stopped at a McDonalds and wandered inside for some coffee. Jay took one look at me in the full light and said “Wow, you look like s$%#!” I think I didn’t talk to him for the next hundred miles or so. We were both exhausted and grumpy!
We wound up driving all the way through. With all of the stops, it took us way longer than if we had just kept going, but at least we got home safely. I think we slept for 10 hours once we made it home. We did learn the importance of booking a hotel room ahead though – won’t be making that mistake again!!
How about you? What’s your worst/best/funniest road trip memory??
This post was brought to you in partnership with #kiasocialclub. Sadly, it really is true.
Mellisa says
Road Trips are the best! We are heading on a road trip this weekend to Dallas.
Billie says
lol if my husband had said that I might have had to do the rest of the driving, his eye would have been swollen a little!
Kathleen says
Wow, definitely sounds like a heck of a trip. We love our road trips to Disney World each year. Just the trip alone holds so many memories for us.
Maryann says
I dont have a great story, but my husband has a ton like when he and his friend were the last car to be allowed through Donner’s Pass during a snow storm and they were hit by a semi. He was once caught in a mudslide during another trip. All kinds of silly stuff.
Maureen Fitzgerald says
I think that would make me afraid to get into a car with him!! 🙂
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
Boston two years ago!
Simply Being Mommy says
Probably when we drove all the way to Disney World from Texas with three small children.
Sheri says
We just drove to Disney in September…it took 31 hours with several bathroom and meal stops. The worst part was when my 4 year old realized he had to sleep in the car and he cried and cried for his bed.
Jennifer (Double Duty Mommy) says
no road trips here yet. thank goodness!
Elaina (A Time Out for Mommy) says
Sounds like a lot of fun!
Marcie W. says
Thankfully all of our road trips have been no more than 4hrs and have gone smoothly every time.
Stefani @ MommyEnterprises.com says
I haven’t took any road trips too far this year. When you have 4 kids, it makes road trips a little difficult. I do love to travel though.
Leilani says
When we drove down to Disneyland in May, my 2yo threw up twice. Once on our way down, and once on our way home. It was bad.
@therebelchick says
We road trip a lot, they are so much fun! I’d say the funniest thing that ever happened on a road trip was when my friends and I drove to Key West and when we got there, we realized we forgot to pick up her boyfriend on the way there…
HilLesha says
I love road trips!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Oh wow, I can’t believe he said that. Ha, unfortunately, I’m the one who would make a remark that in my relationship. That doesn’t sound like fun at all.
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
I took a few road trips with my hubs prior to being married! I loved them!
Leilani says
On our way down to Disneyland last May, our 2yo threw up twice. Then she threw up again on our way home. We’re going to Disneyland again next month, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed she does better this time. I felt so bad for her.
Robin @ Mom Foodie says
I drove all the way from RI to FL non-stop, then the guy I was dating at the time got in an argument with this friend we were visiting and ended out heading back almost immediately. Boy, did that stink. (yeah, I didn’t date him much longer…lol)
Elaina (A Time Out for Mommy) says
I love road trips but haven’t taken any in a while!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
This past summer we took a road trip. It wasn’t the best….
Notorious Spinks says
My cousin and I loved driving to ATL with nothing but the clothes on our back, shop for new clothes for the weekend and get home just in time for work Monday morning. Oooo when I was younger. LO!L
Colleen (Shibley Smiles) says
Oh wow one extreme to the next but what a memory to have LOL
Tricia Nightowlmama says
driving on no sleep is bad glad u had a nice comfy car to travel in though
Kathy says
I wrote about my trip moving from Idaho to Indiana. It was a life changer!
Sara says
I had a very similar experience driving with my family one time. My dad was not a happy camper! It took us quite a while (and this was pre-smart phones!!)
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I remember that happened to us once because we were passing through during a big festival in Savannah or something. I thought I was going to die before we finally found a place.
But I still take chances even now and just drive. lol